Bowling alley signal switch



1950 c. T. KOVAC 2,517,683

BOWLING ALLEY SIGNAL SWITCH Filed May 15, 1947 INVENTOR. Yum/95 Tflavmc Patented Aug. 8, 1950 UNITED sTAT siPATENT OFFICE BOWLING ALLEY SIGNAL SWITCH Charles T. Kovacj' Youngstown, Ohio Application May 15, 1947, Serial No. 748,199

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to bowling alleys and more particularly to signal systems therefor.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of a signal system for a bowling alley.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a switch device for positioning in a bowling alley.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a signal system for a bowling alley actuated by weight of the bowling pins.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a signal system for a bowling alley which may be used in connection with the automatic pin setting installations and in no way affects the formation or construction of the I,

bowling pins employed.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a switch member for installation in a bowling alley signal system, the switch being operable by weight and movable approximately one-thousandth of an inch so as to maintain the flush, smooth surface of the bowling alley.

The bowling alley signal system shown and described herein has been devised for installation in bowling alleys to enable a ready deter- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of '3, bowling alley and a signaling board positioned adjacent thereto.

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical cross section taken on line 22 of Figure l and illustrates a portion of a bowling pin and a switch member positioned in the bowling alley.

Figure 3 is a wiring diagram of the bowling alley signal system.

Figure 4 is a horizontal cross section taken on line 44 of Figure 2.

mination of the pins standing and their locations to be made. It is well known in the art that various types of circuit closing devices have been proposed for installation in bowling alleys and these have uniformly required the presence of a metal conductor on the bottom of the bowling pin to be operative. Such devices are objectionable in that it is necessary to add a metallic member to each of the bowling pins and the rules of the governing authorities do not permit such additions or alterations in bowling pins if the scores are to be recognized as official.

The present invention relates to a bowling alley signal system which is operative by the weight of the bowling pins alone and thereby capable of use with any bowling pin so as to make possible tournament and official score play on a bowling alley equipped with the signal system herein disclosed.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

' Figure 5 is a horizontal cross section taken on line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the switch member shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5.

By referring to the drawings and Figure l in particular it will be seen that a bowling alley I0 is provided with a, plurality of switch members ll arranged in the pattern in which the bowling pins used in the alley are positioned for play. One of the bowling pins is illustrated in position in one of the switch members H and is indicated by the numeral l2. Adjacent the bowling alley there is a signal board l3 and a plurality of signal lights l4 are positioned therein in the same pattern as the switch members H in the bowling .alley Ill. Electrical circuits are employed to connect the switch members I l and a suitable power source with the signal lights l4, and by referring to Figure 3 of the drawings a symbolic wiring diagram may be seen.

In Figure 3 of the drawings the switch members II are illustrated in operative connection with terminal blocks l5 and 16 by means of circuit wires 11, the terminal blocks [5 and [6 being in operative electrical connection with the signal lights 14 by means of a plurality of electric conductors I 8.

A power source comprising a transformer I9 is disclosed, it being obvious that electric currents of very low voltage are preferred so that there will be no danger of arcing or shock in the installation.

By referring now to Figure 2 of the drawings it will be seen that a detailed view on an enlarged scale illustrates a portion of the bowling pin 12 in position on one of the switch members II which in turn is disposed in an opening IS in the bowling alley ID. The switch member II includes a visible top portion II, as shown in the several figures of the drawings, and a base section 20 disposed therebeneath. The base section 20 has an upstanding annular rim 2| thereabout and a ring 22 disposed immediately adjacent the upstanding rim 2| and aiiixed to the base 20 by means of a plurality of screws 23. A spring member 24 is positioned centrally in the area defined by the ring 22 and has a plurality of radially spaced arms 25 which are elevated with respect to the upper surface of the base 20.

The top portion ll of the switch member has a metal disc 26 positioned therein which is normally supported in elevated relation to the metal ring 22 by means of the radially spaced arms 25 of the sprins'zt;

In order that the assembly maybe held together to form the complete switch member li',

a plurality of screws 21 are positioned upwardlys through the base 20 which is countersunk to,

provide for the reception of the heads of the screws 21 so that the screws 2! engagethreaded openings 28 in the disc 26 whichinturnis affixed to the top portion II by means of a plurality of screws 29.

In order that an electrical circuit may be estab ished tween; t e di c, an t e r n 22 hen-they a ee ased v s n qtthec mpression of the spring 24 and the downwar s. IJQYQ- menthe arms 25 llfi ie i asv y, he'weig 4 bers H as well as the other portions of the signal system for bowling alleys disclosed herein may be economically formed and simply and efficiently installed in existing bowling alleys. It will be obvious that the provision of the signal system considerably expedites play in the bowling alley as the standing pins are clearly marked by the signal board which serves as an efficient and accurate guide to the play enat all times.

, alley inclyding an insulating base and an insulata o in n 2; po it on d e top poriont o he; wi ch emb r cir u w e i establish connection with; the, ring 22 andthe spring, as ll st ated mE gur 3. of the dra lugs.

litrwill beiseen, that thescrews 21 provide for the adjustment of the device ,-by' enabling the base 2.411- ndtha top.- n tion Ill, to be; moved i very close relationship, for example, one thousand hr flan inch o m re. This, 5 a iiit e clearance between; the, contact, portions of the switch nz-iei erv which compri the in 2. a h me a disc 25. The. l g spac n s o th mine Handhe di c 25 elim nate; a ti in Q he. top por ion, o th w tch m mber u so t a the; bow ng pin pos oned h o n; o der tac ose he-1c Quit, t erethrou h s. not lt d. or it t d ly"- The. swi h m mber is p vide with, a. cent a op nin 3a o. accomm at por ions t Of; an; u omati n. s t ing machin such. as ommonly emp o ed o n al ey constru tions It w ll thus be s n tha h eve ob ects at th nvent t a met y th bOwlingl ey signal. s m. o n; and escribed her in and particular y the swi ch members it i c r ora e in the bowling alley and by means oi which the ignal hoard l3 is. c n r led- The; wit h me ing top portion, a metallic disc secured beneath said..- top portion and a metallic ring positioned on said base pprtipn in oppositely disposed relation to said metallic disc, said disc and ring comprising: electrical contact members, a spring member comprising a iging having a plurality of rad ll p sze tuwar e te din aimstbe sn sl Sa d, bas pqri iml an ithin Q he sa d m tallig in l athe said/recallis aced arms i. t e. e f; itt n 'niein er n a he aid Ins a ls; stahd q ma h th ,sairlt nporti n s race relation to the said metallic ring on, aid at wzt oa m ans sewin he said We M as nczrt qa n isimity t l. we therand conductors stab ish ng, el sztrital @111 tion vi iths sai is l ne m mpet. nd ns all t whfir hl f n e sct tal; QiIQliiR as e Closed hrou h th sw t h, member 499a th i n'iief ion be g: m rd. clawnwani tami t e v'ia si me lli dis me al i ieesintg pii jth one another.

file i. this pat it Q a 1 v UNITED STATES 12 mnher", Name f le e 3835 earson -.e14sg 11 29 9 61 1 11x 235 ;??1393, in ii-1 .1. EQREIQN Number Country Date.

198,102" (Ziermany L June 26, 1923 

